Windows 10. A review from a non-tech guy.

I like it.  Though, like many software companies, Microsoft offers something for free but with a catch – they will want to track you.  All of what you do, from what I see.

Apparently – you never know for sure – gone is the Windows 8 start menu – where you would click on the Windows icon at the lower left hand of the screen and be taken to an app screen apart from your desktop.  That’s the big change most users will see.

The new start menu is more like the old, which is welcome for this user, who has been using Windows forever.  Since the beginning.  And, I don’t have a tablet which is the interface Microsoft has been migrating towards, understandably so.

Finally, FIL will stop being a curmudgeon and can have his start menu back.  But you have to make some changes – the new menu is like the old, but it contains app icons too.  But you can get rid of and change those.

The bigger issue though – On privacy, Microsoft says as follows:

“Finally, we will access, disclose and preserve personal data, including your content (such as the content of your emails, other private communications or files in private folders), when we have a good faith belief that doing so is necessary to: 1.comply with applicable law or respond to valid legal process, including from law enforcement or other government agencies; 2.protect our customers, for example to prevent spam or attempts to defraud users of the services, or to help prevent the loss of life or serious injury of anyone; 3.operate and maintain the security of our services, including to prevent or stop an attack on our computer systems or networks; or 4.protect the rights or property of Microsoft, including enforcing the terms governing the use of the services – however, if we receive information indicating that someone is using our services to traffic in stolen intellectual or physical property of Microsoft, we will not inspect a customer’s private content ourselves, but we may refer the matter to law enforcement.”

Whoa there… .  What?  Now, I’m certain that I don’t want anybody accessing my anything for any purpose, but me.  Not you, Bill Gates.  Me.

Is that “Finally” first word as in “Finally, the last point to note on our policy is…”, or “Finally!  We can finally access and control most of the worlds computers and all data on them!”  Hmm .

I’m sure that software vendors of all stripes do all kinds of things with data in this new age of cloud computing.  (As an aside, my employer just went exclusively to the cloud and we are transitioning to paperless.  Question: What happens when the cloud, um, doesn’t work?  Do I get a day off?  Answer – No.)  But at least we can have control.  Right?

Well, maybe.  I’m not a tech guy, necessarily.  Sure I can use a computer, I can set up my home network, install hardware, and the like – but there are a lot of settings in Windows that could be doing any number of things.  A LOT.

Here’s a list of settings that may or may not need to be changed.  Things – data about you – that Microsoft will automatically get if you don’t learn about them and make appropriate adjustments:

• Disable telemetry
• Disable Biometrics
• Disable handwriting data disclosure
• Disable handwriting Error Reporting
• Disable Application Telemetry
• Disable Inventory Collector
• Disable Steps Recorder
• Disable lock screen camera settings
• Deactivate and reset Cortana
• Disable localization
• Disable sensors
• Disable Web search
• Disable Windows Media DRM Internet access
• Activate postponing upgrades
• Disable app notifications
• Disable Password button ads
• Stopping and resetting the advertising ID
• Disable SmartScreen filter for URLs
• Disable sending write information
• Disable access to language list
• Disable app access to localization
• Disable app access to camera
• Disable app access to microphone
• Disable acquaintance
• Disable app access to user accounts info
• Disable app access to calendar
• Disable app access to messages
• Disable app access to wireless connections
• Disable app access to Uncoupled devices
• Disable prompts Feedback
• Disabling Windows Update distribution
• Disable Windows Update for other products
• Disable WiFi Sense
• Disable Windows Defender
• Disable automatic Windows Updates
• Deactivate OneDrive
• Disable Automatic Driver Updates

That’s a long list.

So, I just found an app – when did we start calling programs apps – yes, an application that takes control of all – I assume –

– settings that would be cause for concern.  Including downloading a stupid search bar and allowing its pop-up ads into your browser.   Sheesh.

App Do Not Spy, here: http://pxc-coding.com/de/portfolio/donotspy10/

Do not use it.  Because if you seek a quick fix, well, prepare to pay a price.

And there you are.  Get a sleek new interface, easy access to media and all for no-cost except for control over your computing privacy?  Apparently in some most cases.

But this is the face of things to come.

And one more thing…. .  Win10 also disables some adblocking and malware software.  My install disabled my copies of AdAware and Spybot.  Ahh, Windows.  Like a protective big brother.